My theme revolves around the soon-to-be published memoir I wrote for opera singer, Donald Braswell.
"D" is for "Donald."
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Donald’s repertoire includes Mario
Frangoulis’ bilingual version of the Moody Blues classic Nights in White
Satin; The Prayer and Andrea Bocelli’s Vivere. Other songs
include Aqustin Lara’s Rosa (Spanish), Mario Frangoulis’ Vincerò,
perderò (Italian) and the Neapolitan standard O sole mio. To date, he’s
released three CDs and recently finalized a fourth studio album.
MONDAY: "E" is for "Endurance" (Notes on his many trials and tribulations.)
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A 1990 graduate of Juilliard, Donald Braswell II, 52, is an
American actor, classical crossover tenor and composer. Donald was on the fast
track to becoming an internationally acclaimed opera singer until a 1995
hit-and-run accident left him unable to speak for almost two years.
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| Performing After Graduating Juilliard in 1990 |
Regaining his speech and singing
voice by the new millennium, Donald was away from the spotlight until his
appearance on the 2008 season of America’s Got Talent. Eventually, he
beat out more than 100,000 contestants, cracked the Top Five in the finals and
jumpstarted his second chance at a career in entertainment.
Today, Donald performs a variety of
musical genres ranging from pure classical, to soul and mainstream pop. He
engages people of many cultures by singing in various languages outside of
English, including Spanish, Italian, Neapolitan, French and Russian.
Married to his
high school sweetheart for thirty years, Donald remains a strong man of God and
proud father to three girls. He believes his second chance at singing is a gift
meant to help others, so he continues to perform many charity performances.
 |
| Donald - Today |
One of Donald's main goals in sharing his story with me is the hope that his journey, “Will inspire people struggling with issues to never, ever
give up on their own dreams.”
For more
information, click HERE for one of my recent blog posts.
MONDAY: "E" is for "Endurance" (Notes on his many trials and tribulations.)
16 comments:
This is fascinating and inspirational. Thank you - and Donald.
I love opera!!!
Saturday 4th April 2015
Dear Carrie,
What an interesting and inspirational post! Way to go Donald!
Thank you so much for visiting my post about fitted sheets. I'm having extra company for the Easter break, so bed-making and sheets are on my mind. Thanks for widening my view.
Best wishes,
Anna
P.S. As first commenter you get an extra link from my post to your blog.
How cool to put a face with the stories! :D
Did not know of him, thank you for sharing it, I personally enjoy dark opera...
Welcome in the letter "D"... thank you!
Jeremy [Retro]
AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]
There's no earthly way of knowing.
Which direction we are going!
HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?
Sure an inspiration indeed, and can never ever give up. Push on through we have to do
An amazing man. And singing in so many languages - impressive!
What an incredible and inspiring story. Have a great weekend!
Hi Mark - how very highly talented and thank goodness he had that 2nd chance ... wonderful to be able to sing in various languages .. or in my case sing at all! Cheers Hilary
It is a wonderfully inspirational story and I am so glad he got his voice back. Like Hilary, I can't sing either. Love to listen to opera though.
A fantastically inspirational story. Untethered Realms / MPax
So glad you chose Donald as your subject to blog about, and that you decided to jump into the A to Z this year! You, my man, are brave! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
Awesome! I am really enjoying learning more about this outstanding man. Thanks, Mark!
His story is inspiring. And I love that he's one of the few successful entertainers who remains a good person, husband and father besides.
Really amazing story. I would love to hear him singing in person.
Play off the Page
Duuuude! Donald's story sounds amazing and so inspiring. Great that this is going to be the theme for your A-Z. I might not be able to wait for the release!
Hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend. Forgive my slight tardiness; you know I tend to be 'fashionably late' sometimes. :/ I'll be BACH! :D
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